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The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is seeking volunteers to participate in a road usage charge (RUC) study. The study will focus on identifying how a RUC system that reflects unique Midwestern needs could help fund transportation investments. The study is being supported by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and coordinated with the Minnesota DOT to expand the pilot’s reach. This study is a only a test-run – not implementation. What is RUC? A road usage charge, or RUC, is a policy whereby drivers pay to use the road based on miles driven....

At the request of Renew Kansas Biofuels Association Governor Laura Kelly signed and sent a letter supporting year-round E15 sales to United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan. The letter, drafted by Renew Kansas, requests EPA open dialogue with the state of Kansas and Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment on a recent Washington, D.C., Circuit Court decision overturning EPA's 2019 regulation allowing year-round sales of E15 in conventional gasoline markets. "We look forward to speaking with you (Administrator Regan) soon about our options for protecting the substantial investments our...

Kansas Dept. of Agriculture (KDA) is hosting a virtual federal infrastructure funding Zoom meeting on Oct. 15, 2021. See more information from KDA below. The Heartland’s economy – and our nation’s economy – relies on agriculture, transportation and technology industries working well together. With the focus on federal infrastructure funding, now is the time for our region to identify partnership opportunities and regional strategies that generate game-changing results for generations to come. The HomeField Advantage series is an opportunity to learn from each other and plan how to leverage our regional strengths. Maximizing investments...

Passage of the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation plan requires Kansas Dept. of Transportation (KDOT) to hold local consult meetings every two years to gather input on projects. This year, KDOT's Local Consult looks different. Out of an abundance of caution and to comply with current state guidance related to COVID-19, the Local Consult meetings will be held virtually, with two online options to participate: A virtual live Zoom meeting will take place for each region plus the Wichita and Kansas City metro areas. Visit https://www.ksdotike.org/projects/local-consult-process for the schedule and to register. This...

Renew Kansas Biofuels Association's immediate past chairman Lyle Schlyer of Calgren Renewable Fuels signed onto a letter to United States Senator Dianne Feinstein asking her to withdraw a bill she introduced last month that would eliminate the Renewable Fuel Standard's (RFS) conventional ethanol mandate. Feinstein introduced the Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act, that if enacted into law would harm our California business operations, while increasing costs for consumers and harming our environment. "While we are proud of the success of ethanol in reducing carbon emissions in California and the rest of the...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of the Army announced plans for upcoming community engagements to inform their efforts to revise the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) to better ensure clean and safe water for all. EPA and Army are committed to developing a reasonable, effective, and durable definition of WOTUS that protects public health, the environment, and downstream communities while supporting economic opportunity, agriculture, and other industries. “We are committed to crafting an enduring definition of WOTUS by listening to all sides so that...

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers have asked a federal judge to remand the Waters of United States (WOTUS) rule without vacating it, essentially leaving the current rule in place while the agencies work on a replacement. “This action reflects the agencies’ intent to initiate a new rulemaking process that restores the protections in place prior to the 2015 WOTUS implementation, and anticipates developing a new rule that defines WOTUS and is informed by a robust engagement process…,” the announcement stated. Prior to the 2015 rule's implementation, those...

Renew Kansas Biofuels Association co-signed National Biodiesel Board’s letter to congressional leaders urging support of the biodiesel and renewable diesel industry as congress develops legislation concerning the nation’s infrastructure, climate and economic priorities. Addressed to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senate Democratic Majority Leader Charles Schumer and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, the letter requested bipartisan support and inclusion of the industry. Specifically, the letter called on members of congress to: Support the bipartisan, bicameral proposal to extend the biodiesel tax credit through 2025 (S 1806/HR...

2021 Kansas Legislature Adjourns Sine Die The 2021 Kansas legislative session formally adjourned Sine Die just before 1:00 p.m., on Wednesday, May 26. The half-day of floor work was uneventful in terms of laws overridden as the Senate successfully Governor Laura Kelly’s veto of a short-term health insurance bill, but the House fell nearly 20 votes short of the 2/3 majority needed to pass the law. Neither chamber attempted any other overrides on bills vetoed. Lawmakers in both chambers did pass a concurrent resolution to Governor Kelly, urging her administration to end...

East Kansas Agri-Energy (EKAE) hosted an hour-long tour and biofuels discussion with Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and members of her administration in Garnett on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Renew Kansas Biofuels Association Chairman and EKAE CEO/President Bill Pracht and Vice President of Operations Doug Sommer facilitated the tour. “It was an honor to walk Governor Kelly and Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam through our plant explaining our process for producing biofuels and showing them first-hand our impact on Garnett and the surrounding community,” Pracht said. “As an industry, we’ve only ever...

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